A first goal for the Gas from Josh Coburn secured all three points for Rovers in a tight affair at The Mem.
Joey Barton handed a full debut to Josh Coburn following his 45-minute cameo on Tuesday night against Crystal Palace U21s in the Papa John's Trophy. James Gibbons returns from injury and made his first start for the Gas since our victory over Burton Albion in August.
The Gas almost had the perfect start to the match. Neat play from Finley played in Collins and he set up Evans for a well-struck drive from outside the box that Mitov in the Cambridge goal was able to claim.
Josh Coburn looked determined to have the ideal start to his league debut for the Gas and very nearly got his wish. The striker brushed past two Cambridge defenders with ease and was unfortunate to see his curling effort fly narrowly wide of the target.
Rovers took a deserved lead just past the 15-minute mark. Just as applause rang around The Mem for Nick Anderton, Luca Hoole rose highest to meet Antony Evans' free kick and head the ball past Mitov for his second goal for the Gas.
Cambridge were awarded a penalty in the 35th minute after Belshaw had felled Sam Smith after the Cambridge forward had gotten the wrong side of Gordon. Joe Ironside made no mistake from the spot and the visitors were back on level terms.
Belshaw did well to deny the visitors a second ten minutes into the second half. A cross was sent deep into the Rovers penalty area where it was well met by Ironside whose headed effort was acrobatically tipped over the bar to safety.
Rovers retook the lead only minutes later. Tenacious work from Aaron Collins resulted in the Rovers no.10 sliding the ball across the penalty area where it was lashed home by Josh Coburn for his first goal in blue and white.
Cambridge looked to respond following Rovers' second goal. A few half chances fell the way of the visitors but the U's weren't able to capitalize on them and Rovers took the points.
Next up for Rovers is a trip to Stadium MK to face MK Dons on Tuesday, 11th October (7:45 pm).
Rovers: Belshaw, Gordon, Finley (c), Collins, Rossiter, Loft, Evans, Gibbons, Hoole, Thomas, Coburn.
Subs: Jaakkola, Jasper, Coutts, Gibson, Clarke, Saunders, McCormick
Cambridge United: Mitov, Williams, Digby, Taylor (c), Jones, Brophy, Ironside, Smith, Okedina, May, Knibbs.
Subs: Holden, O'Neil, Lankester, Rossi, Janneh, Tracey, Okenabirhie.
Referee: Ben Toner
Attendance: 9,007 (560 away)